STOCKHOLM— Norrmalm

This area contains the central business district of Stockholm which is known as the City. There are lots of department stores as well as shopping malls, museums, hotels and restaurants. It also has the main railway station. There is the pedestrian shopping street, Drottninggatan that runs from north to south through this area from the square, Sergels Torg down to the waterfront. Also included in this neighbourhood is Skeppsholmen which is one of Stockholm’s islands that is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Adolf Fredriks Kyrka
This church was built between 1768 and 1774. It replaced a wooden chapel dating from 1674, which was dedicated to Saint Olof. René Descartes was buried in the cemetery attached to the church in 1650 but his remains were later taken to France. Inside the church is a memorial to the memory of Descartes installed by Gustav III. Other famous people buried in the church cemetery include Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme who was assassinated only a block from the church, as well as Prime Minister Hjalmar Branting.
For information about Adolf Fredriks Kyrka visit the website at: http://www.adolffredrik.se

Sergels Torg
This square is the most central public one in Stockholm. It is named after the 18th century sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel, whose workshop was once located north of the square. The square has a sunken pedestrian plaza with a flight of stairs that leads up to the pedestrian street of Drottninffatan which connects Old Town and Kungsgatan. Above the plaza is a roundabout with a glass obelisk at its centre. The square is bordered on one side by Kulturhuset which is a glass fronted community centre. It houses temporary exhibitions, a theatre, bookshop, several cafes, design store, library, bar and comics library.
For information about the Kulturhuset visit the website at: http://en.kulturhuset.stockholm.se

Klara Kyrka
This church is one of many built in the late 16th century during the reign of Johan 111 who loved architecture. The church is built on the site of a former convent which was torn down in the Reformation. The interior of the church has a ceiling painted with biblical scenes. It is a practice of the church to give out bread and coffee to the homeless, so the graveyard and nearby steps are often occupied by homeless people. Classical concerts are held at midday.

Medelhavsmuseet
This is the Museum of Mediterranean Antiquities and it has displays of artefacts from Greece, Rome, Egypt and Cyprus. In the main hall are a variety of busts and statues. Other rooms contain Islamic art, early medical instruments, ancient sarcophagi and a reconstruction of an Egyptian tomb. A highlight is the Gold Room which is a vault holding ancient wreaths of gold. It is open between 12.30pm and 1pm or 2.30pm and 3pm. There is a Bagdad cafe on the second floor which serves Mediterranean specialities for lunch.
For information about the museum visit the website at: http://www.varldskulturmuseerna.se

National Museum
This museum is housed in a building designed by the German architect, Friedrich August Stüler who was inspired by the Renaissance palaces of Florence. The museum building has a magnificent setting looking over the bay on the opposite side of the water to the Royal Palace. Inside are some beautiful frescoes along with the fabulous art collection. The paintings span from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. The collection includes paintings by artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, Goya, Gauguin and there is also a fair representation of Swedish artists. Also of interest is the collection of Russian icons. Sculpture is another highlight with works from Rodin and Swedish sculptor, Johan Tobias Sergel. The furniture exhibits are also worth seeing.
For information about the museum visit the website at: http://www.nationalmuseum.se

✈ Traveller's Tip ✈

Be aware that the museum is closed for renovation for several years but a temporary exhibition has been set up at Fredsgatan 12 in the centre of Stockholm. See the website for further information.

Östasiatiska Museet
The main focus of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities is a permanent exhibition on prehistoric China, presenting artefacts unearthed in the 1920s in a Chinese village by the museum’s founder, Johan Gunnar Andersson. The exhibit, displayed in a dimly lit room echoing with sounds and voices, includes tools and pottery 3,000 to 4,000 years old, descriptions of burial traditions, and the symbols, as well as patterns, of prehistoric earthenware. The museum also has a large collection of far-eastern Buddhist sculptures. The gift shop sells Japanese tea sets, books on Asian art, religions and design, and kimonos.
For information about the museum visit the website at: http://www.varldskulturmuseerna.se/en/ostasiatiskamuseet/

Moderna Museet
This state museum is located on the island of Skeppsholmen and was first opened in 1958. The museum has a large collection of art from the twentieth century to today featuring works by artists including Picasso, Dali, Derkert and Matisse. There are also temporary exhibitions, a children’s workshop, a shop and a restaurant with a beautiful view of Djurgården and Strandvägen.
For information about the museum visit the website at: http://www.modernamuseet.se

Museum of Architecture
This museum has exhibits about Swedish architecture and construction from the 19th century up to today. Exhibits include drawings, models, design and sustainable urban development. Take a tour and participate in creative activities for children on Sundays. Inside the museum is a library, book store and cafe.